Mint Views Daily Dispatch

In this episode of Mint View Daily Dispatch, Aresh Shirali in conversation with Anant Vijay about the recent controversy surrounding the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput, CBI taking over the case, the possibilty of murder and how media is handling the story. Tune in to find out..

As the Rafale jets are set to land in Ambala on 29th July, in this episode of Mint View Daily dispatch Aresh Shirali in conversation with Anant Kala discussing the details of the Rafale deal and the implications of incorporating the new aircraft into the firepower of the Airforce.

In this episode of Mint View Daily Dispatch, Aresh Shirali in conversation with Anand Vijay Kala talks about the crisis in Congress party caused by a rebellion by Sachin Pilot, questioning the leadership of power in Rajasthan. Tune in to know more about it in detail. 

A lot of suspicions is around the strange encounter of a gangster, Vikas Dubey and the story that has been told to the public seems to have a lot of loopholes.  In this episode of Mint Views Daily Dispatch, Aresh Shirali in conversation with Anand Vijay Kala tries to figure the story behind these loopholes, in an effort to fill up the gap in the encounter of Vikas Dubey.  

Urjit Patel uses an interesting analogy the 'Checkhov's Gun' to answer questions like what is the banking sector and what are the core problems in it?  

In this episode of Mint Views Daily DIspatch, let's find out why exactly India banned these 59 Chinese apps and what could be the repercussions and implications of this decision. Tune in.

What is China exactly up to? What is the objective of its actions around the LAC? Could it be to gain leverage in India? To find the answer to such questions, tune in to this episode of Mint Views Daily Dispatch.

The World Health Organization has characterized the coronavirus outbreak as a ‘pandemic’. This holds grave implications for both business and the global economy. Of particular concern is the fate of contracts. Insurers, for example, may invoke force majeure provisions and refuse to honour claims given the unexpected turn of events that has affected a vast number of people. 

Oil prices suffered a historic collapse after Saudi Arabia launched a price war against Russia. In general, lower oil prices are good for keeping inflation in check, but these gains could be outweighed by the impact of the demand slump taking place not only in India but globally.

In the wake of the Delhi violence, the Union government is contemplating issuing fresh guidelines to social media platforms on stopping online hate content. The government reportedly is planning some “tangible” and “visible “steps to do so. 

A long-awaited peace deal was signed between the US and Taliban on Saturday. Conditions of the deal include a phased reduction of American troops in Afghanistan, prisoner swap and lifting of UN sanctions, among others. The question is will the Taliban to stick to the deal, and how would an eventual exit of US forces from Afghanistan affect India? 

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has suggested that the armed forces should be brought in to quell the violence. But shouldn’t matters related to maintenance of law and order be left to the police? The more pressing need is for all sides to step back so that the tempers are lowered and violence brought under control. This applies to all stakeholders, including protesters, the police, political leaders, and civil society at large.

US President Donald Trump is on a visit to India. Besides the broad continuity in the India-US ties, what does it mean for the domestic politics in the US? Trump, who recently came out of an impeachment trial, could use the visit to bolster his image in the run-up to the 2020 Presidential election, particularly among the Indian diaspora in the US. But could it also affect the bipartisan nature of India’s relationship with the American polity?

The Supreme Court has ruled that all women officers shall be considered for permanent commission in the army and will be eligible for both ‘command’ and ‘criteria’ appointments. Technically, the order paves the way for India to have a woman general leading our army someday. On the ground, though, implementation may pose challenges due to sexist biases and prejudices prevalent among our people. 

Arvind Kejriwal’s Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) swept back to power for the third time in a row in Delhi. The triumph owes mostly to welfarism and effective governance that trumped the nationalistic campaign pitch of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Could this act as a template for other states to follow?

Elections in Delhi is just round the corner. Both AAP and BJP has been quite robust in their campaigns. While the former confined their narrative to local issues and governance , the latter clearly put more emphasis on certain national issues. The point we discuss and analyse is whether it will be local or national issues that would determine the outcome of this election? 

Budget 2020 hasn’t done much to address concerns over economic slowdown. With a nominal growth of 10% GDP growth translates into 5.5%-6% real GDP growth rate. The question is should we accept this rate as the new normal? This budget has seen a massive push to social sector and infrastructure through government spending. But the point is can we experience growth without the private sector? According to the latest Purchasing Manufacturer’s Index (PMI) private sector investment has shown a surge in eight years. Here is a discussion on the concept of growth and the current economic scenario.

All eyes are on finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman who will present the Union Budget on Saturday. A ramp-up in fiscal spending to revive growth seems likely. With key indicators including GDP, exports, investment showing poor numbers what can be done to increase consumption and revive growth? Greater infrastructure spending would help drive investment. On the other hand, a tax cut for the salaried could stimulate spending. Some argue it may be better to put money in the hands of the poor who have a greater tendency to spend. The choices are many, and Sitharaman has an unenviable task. 

IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet have barred Kunal Kamra from flying with them after he heckled Republic TV anchor Arnab Goswami onboard a flight. Kamra reportedly confronted Goswami with multiple questions and mocked him even as Goswami chose to ignore him. Such behavior can be a nuisance for other passengers besides posing security risks. But is the ban too harsh a step?

The European Parliament is set to debate on resolutions that centre on India’s amended citizenship law and the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s autonomy. The most critical of these resolutions is the one on the citizenship law, which an overwhelming number of members of the European parliament consider discriminatory. A European Union spokesperson has clarified that the resolutions do not reflect the official position of the 28-member bloc. But the question remains: Do these resolutions pose diplomatic challenges to India and can they impact India-EU ties?

In a fresh effort to sell Air India, the government has invited bids for a 100% stake in the national carrier. Not only has the complete stake been put on the table, the government has also made other relaxations, such as significantly reducing the debt burden that the buyer will have to take on. The question is, will this be enough to attract buyers to the loss-making airline, and can the deal indeed be completed by March, as the government is targeting?

The coronavirus has claimed 17 lives and infected hundreds. In China, authorities have put the city of Wuhan, from where the outbreak originated, under lockdown. Several other countries, including India, are screening passengers coming from the city. Thankfully, no case has been detected in India so far, and there is no reason for us to be alarmed. But it would be advisable to stay on alert so that we are well-prepared was the outbreak to grow into a global health emergency.

Tamil superstar Rajinikanth is in the eye of a storm over his recent comments about Dravidian icon E.V. Ramasamy, fondly called Periyar. The veteran actor had claimed that Periyar at a rally in 1971 had desecrated images of Hindu deities. While his comments have upset Periyar supporters who deny any such thing happened, he has stuck to his claim. By bringing in Hindu deities, he seems to be playing the right-wing religion card. So, is he finally ready to take the political plunge?

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat has said that the only way for India to end terrorism is by acting against it in the same way as America did after the 9/11 attacks. The question is does India have the global or military heft needed to carry out such aggressive campaigns. Even if it did, is such a strategy really advisable considering the huge financial costs America had to incur?

India is reportedly planning to step up the heat on Malaysia by imposing fresh restrictions on the import of microprocessors and telecom equipment, as Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad’s repeated statements against some of India’s internal policies hurt bilateral ties. India has reportedly also privately signaled to palm oil traders not to import from Malaysia. The question is, should differences on the diplomatic front be allowed to spill over to trade relations? Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Microsoft boss Satya Nadella has spoken about India’s controversial citizenship law. The Indian-born executive has expressed dismay at it and mentioned that he would love to see, for example, a Bangladeshi immigrant succeed in the country’s technology industry. He has made a strong case for diversity. The question is whether CEOs should be commenting on political issues. Also, just how valuable diversity is for an economy?

Walmart has reportedly downsized a sizeable chunk of its staff in India. The world’s largest retailer reportedly also plans to shut its Mumbai fulfillment center and halt new-store expansion in the country. Its piling up losses even after a decade of operations in India perhaps explain its decision. The question is, did it expect too much of the brick-and-mortar physical store business model when consumers are increasingly preferring to shop online? Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Two airbases housing US troops in Iraq have been hit by more than a dozen ballistic missiles, according to the Pentagon. The attack, as stated by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, is an act of retribution for the killing of its commander Qassem Soleimani. Meanwhile, a Ukraine International Airlines flight with 176 people on board crashed in Iran soon after takeoff. The cause of the crash isn’t yet known although the circumstances raise suspicions if there is a link with Iran’s retaliatory action. With both the US and Iran taking hard positions, could the world be staring at a full-scale war in West Asia?

Violence erupted at the JNU campus on Sunday as masked men entered the university campus, attacked teachers and students and vandalised properties. This is condemnable as violence has no place in democratic societies, let alone places of learning. Unfortunately, there seem to be increasing instances of educational institutions coming under attack. We discuss what needs to be done to make our universities safer so that free exchange of ideas and public debates can take place. Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condemned the violence that took place during the protests against the citizenship law changes. He reminded people that duties and rights go hand-in-hand, while also urging everyone to maintain peace. His message has both—a stern warning to rioters and a general appeal for peace. The question is would they help calm tempers or further polarize the debate? Expressing dissent is a fundamental right, but this must be done peacefully. The police too must not adopt a heavy-handed approach. For peace to be restored, all sides must exercise due restraint. Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

The United Nations International Migrants Day is observed every year on December 18 to recognize the efforts, contributions and rights of migrants worldwide. The issue of migration has always divided opinions, but the debate has sharpened in this era of protectionism. Sure, migrants have contributed immensely to the economies of their host nations. But migration has also raised concerns among the natives about their culture and identity getting swamped. An open-door policy worldwide would be ideal, can nations afford it without political consequences? Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Polling in the United Kingdom’s snap election is underway where millions of voters are expected to deliver their verdict on the Brexit crisis. The fight between two radically opposed camps, the Conservative Party and the Labour Party, has caused a sharp division in opinions among its people. The economy is also in poor health. Worryingly, it doesn’t look like conditions would improve anytime soon considering the UK may be staring at more uncertainty either due to a hard Brexit or a fresh referendum, depending on which way the elections go. Its ‘Greatness’ seems to be losing sheen. Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Close on the heels of the Lok Sabha approving the Citizenship Amendment Bill, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a human rights watchdog, has sought the US government to impose sanctions on home minister Amit Shah if the bill gets approved by the upper house as well. The bill, the body says, marks a “dangerous turn” as it violates India’s secular principles. Could this hurt India’s foreign relations? That seems unlikely given India’s strengthening ties with the US. But, our leadership needs to be mindful not to let negative perceptions build. If that happens, such moves could over a longer term lead to India’s overseas standing getting weakened.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday introduced the controversial Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in the Lok Sabha. The bill seeks to grant citizenship to minorities of Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan if they are persecuted there. Arguably, offering citizenship on the basis of religion runs contrary to India’s secular principles. It also appears to violate fundamental rights under Article 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which guarantee equality before the law and prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion. Mint Views Daily dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Sundar Pichai is set to take over as CEO of Google’s holding company Alphabet Inc. He joins at a time when the company is buffeted by antitrust investigations into whether it has created monopoly conditions in the market. Formidable growth of a company alone should not be a reason for punishment. Its growth could be a result of better products or simply because it is more efficient than rivals. What needs to be considered is whether the company abused its monopoly? Evidence against it needs to be carefully examined before any action is contemplated. In general, use of harsh methods should be avoided. Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

India’s consul general in New York, Sandeep Chakravarty is in the news for wrong reasons. In a video that surfaced online, he linked the future of Kashmiri Pandits to that of Israel and Jews. By drawing an analogy between India and Israel traditionally, India has opposed any form of Israeli occupation in Palestinian territories. Though his statement has been made at a private event, such comments from an official functionary don’t bode well for India’s image, India needs to act to contain the damage. Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

The Reserve Bank of India has released a list containing names of 30 major willful defaulters in response to a Right to Information application filed by online news publication The Wire. The Reserve Bank of India has released a list containing names of 30 major willful defaulters in response to a Right to Information application filed by online news publication The Wire. This may be in sync with the demands of greater transparency in matters of public interest. But it also effectively amounts to public shaming of the borrower, which could be a violation of a bank’s fiduciary duty to maintain privacy in third-party business dealings. After all, not all willful defaulters are guilty of financial wrongdoing. Some defaults may be due to genuine business failure. Such cases deserve a less harsh approach. Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

The Uttar Pradesh government has asked the Bhim Rao Ambedkar University to find out if the city of Agra where the Taj Mahal resides has an ancient name. This suggests the government is planning to rename it, as it did in the case of other cities such as Allahabad, which is now called Prayagraj. We debate if there is merit in the move or is it another attempt to remove the symbols of India’s Mughal history. Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

The Supreme Court has directed the National Company Law Tribunal to consider afresh a plea filed by an Air India pilot to initiate insolvency proceedings against the company. Under Section 9 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, salaried employees can initiate insolvency proceedings against a corporate debtor. But allowing individual employees to do so could create hurdles and defeat the purpose of the IBC, which is to quickly resolve stressed assets. Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

According to the third round of YouGov-Mint Millennial Survey, pessimism grew among millennials (those aged between 23-38 years of age) between mid-September and mid-October. Surprisingly, millennials with higher educational qualifications were more pessimistic than those with lesser qualifications. Given that the economy is in a slowdown, the pessimism is perhaps understandable and maybe a temporary blip that would correct once the economy picks up pace. But could it be that there are deeper problems such as a lack of job skills or excessive mechanization that we may be ignoring? Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you scenes from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

A five-judge bench of the Supreme Court has referred the review of its judgment in the Sabarimala case to a larger seven-judge bench. In its 2018 ruling, the top court had ordered that menstruating women must also be allowed to enter the temple. The petitioners, however, argue that this violates their freedom to religion. So are women being discriminated against or are religious practices being meddled with?

The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the disqualification of 17 rebel Congress and Janata Dal (Secular) legislators in Karnataka and to allow them to contest polls raises the question if the B.S. Yediyurappa government would survive. The by-polls are scheduled to be held in 15 assembly seats in the state on 5 December. For the BJP government to retain power, it must win a minimum of 6 seats. Will the voters re-elect these candidates? That could hold the key to the Karnataka government’s survival.  Mint Views Daily Dispatch brings you clips from the Mint edit table where ideas are mooted, discussed and debated before they make it to the coveted editorial page of the paper.

Hindutva as an ideology has aided the ruling party on its path to power, with issues such as the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution and the Ram temple construction in Ayodhya serving as the cornerstones of the ideology. But with some of these issues now having been settled, the question is whether the political dividends of Hindutva politics are now past a peak?

According to an analysis done by American Express, millennials account for a third of all the luxury spending done by its Indian customers, and this proportion is rising sharply. Does this suggest that the 19-39 year olds of the present times think differently from those in the previous generation? One might argue that there isn’t anything new in the upwardly mobile spending on luxuries regardless of the generation. But it may also be true that peer pressure to flaunt a certain lifestyle is driving a shift in their behaviour?

WhatsApp downloads in India reportedly fell by a dramatic 80% to 1.8 million between October 26 and November 3 from the previous nine-day period. At the same time, rivals such as Telegram and Signal witnessed a considerable jump in their number of users. This shift could most likely have been a result of the spyware row involving WhatsApp, but do users really need to be this alarmed? Considering all messaging platforms can be vulnerable to spyware attacks, the shift might be an overreaction.

Microsoft tested out a four-day work week in Japan and found a significant rise in the productivity of its workers by 40%. Similar studies also echo along the same lines where employees reported better work-life balance, improved focus in office among others. Sure, this has its perks but is it viable in an Indian office space is the question? Plus, there could be adverse effects too of such a practice, for instance workers might develop a more casual attitude. Perhaps this idea requires more experimentation before it can become a reality.

Jack Dorsey, CEO of Twitter Inc, in a series of tweets announced that political advertising on the platform would be banned. The reach of the political messages, he said, should be “earned“ and not “bought”. The move is of significance given the misuse of social media to spread fake news that can influence public opinion. But it also raises the question if such a ban is justified in a democracy that swears by the principles of free speech. A middle ground is perhaps what is required.

According to reports, the government is planning to scrap the dividend distribution tax paid by companies. One argument is that taxing dividends amounts to double taxation since the profits of the company, from which dividends are distributed, are already subjected to tax. In addition, we need more people to buy shares to expand our capital markets, and such disincentives can place hurdles. But in a country like India where there is wide inequality in the distribution of wealth, such a move might be seen as favouring capitalists, or the rich, at the cost of the middle class, which pays high income tax.

The Shiv Sena is acting tough with its alliance partner Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra. It wants the post of chief minister to be shared by the two parties for half of the assembly’s term each. The BJP, having emerged the largest party in the just-concluded state election, wants its leader to occupy that position all through. Some of the Sena’s posturing may be an effort to negotiate a better deal, but it may also reflect a growing concern within the party over its diminishing role in the state as the BJP expands its presence there. If the bickering continues, governance would take a hit. That is not something the electorate would want.

US President Donald Trump has announced that ISIS leader Abu Bakr-Al Baghdadi died in a military raid. Baghdadi’s death, who inspired followers to take up violent acts in the pursuit of establishing a global caliphate, would deliver a significant blow to the organization. However, this should not bring complacency since the ideology it represents can still sway people. Although there isn’t clear evidence that ISIS has operatives in India, prudence requires that we stay cautious until there is proof to say with certainty that its influence doesn’t exist. Lowering the guard prematurely could be potentially dangerous.